Wayne E. Meier

Wayne E. Meier, age 91, of Gibsonburg, Ohio, passed away Friday, August 16, 2013, at the Bethesda Care Center in Fremont, Ohio. He was born December 16, 1921, in Archbold, to the late Edward and Leona (Bowman) Meier.

Wayne was a 1939 graduate of Swanton High School and left for the Air Force in 1942. He served in England-Germany as a Tech. Sgt.. Wayne did 31 missions as a Bombardier, because there was a shortage of them. On his last mission, two of the engines went out on the plane. The plane was going down near England, which was their base. They were told to jump from the plane, but first to throw everything out of the plane as a last ditch effort to save them. With much prayer and being ready to jump from the plane, it started rising and they were able to make it back to base. They were sent home a week later. He was in the #359 Bomb Squad stationed in Sioux City, Iowa until he was discharged.

Wayne married Reta Shelt two weeks after he was sent home on leave, September 20, 1944. After discharge he and his wife lived in Swanton, Ohio. He worked at the Buckeye Chevy Garage as a parts man. He then drove truck for Hofer Motors, Shippers Dispatch and Preston.

When Wayne retired he worked on his small farm. He was a member of Swanton Alliance Church and had many jobs in the church. He helped build a new church, was Treasurer for many years and did janitorial work there also. As a couple, they helped paint many buildings at Beulah Beach during the summers.

Wayne and Reta were married for 68 years. They enjoyed singing and toured with the “Sounds of Hope Choir” to Europe. He also sang with the Ohio State Senior Choir. They moved several times and settled in Gibsonburg to be near their family. He became blind in 2009.

Wayne and Reta had 3 children; Lucia, who is deceased, Leland (Nancy) of Vermilion, OH, and Barbara (Keith) Kolkemeyer of Gibsonburg, OH. They have 2 grandchildren; Megan (Brad) Billet of West Point, VA and Jessica

Kolkemeyer of Gibsonburg, Oh.; and 2 great-grandchildren, Mallory and Elijah Billet.

Besides his parents, Edward and Leona (Bowman) and daughter, Lucia, he was preceded in death by his brother Floyd and his wife, Hazel (Kim) Meier.

Family and friends may visit Monday, August 19th, from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at the Weigel Funeral Home, 204 Chestnut St. in Swanton. Visitation will continue Tuesday, August 20th from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the Swanton Alliance Church, 111 Franklin Ave. in Swanton, where funeral services will begin at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Curt Bowman officiating. Interment, with Military Rites, will follow at Swanton Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to Alliance Missions through the Swanton Alliance Church.

Residence: Gibsonburg, Ohio

Visitation: Monday, August 19th from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 pm at the Weigel Funeral Home in Swanton

Funeral Services: Tuesday, August 20th at 11:00 am at the Swanton Alliance Church

Interment: Swanton Cemetery